June 30, 2011

At the core of women’s fashion, you will find Grendha Jelly--- a special line where femininity, youthful flair and a romantic, sexy inspiration complements the essence of a woman. Teeming with charm and concept, this new generation of jellies have arrived bringing quality materials and top technology synonymous to comfort and beauty. That’s not the only impressive thing, though. The careful choice of colors and prints give each product a unique personality suitable for a stylish lady that is fit for everyday wear, even during rainy days!

This Grendha Jelly collection comes in a variety of colors and versatile designs, namely, Motion Desire, Romantic, Happy and Seduce that offers a day and evening footwear rolled in one. The Motion Desire line brings a certain air of sensuality bringing out the sexiness in you. The sophisticated Romantic line, on the other hand, places jellies on a higher level with its decorative stones. While Grendha Jelly Happy brings out a 1950s look with a flair of modernity, Grendha Jelly Seduce brings a conservative yet contemporary lace-like patterns that exude a fresh twist on this exciting line.

I don't believe in chain letters or chain e-letters for that matter. A friend emailed me this 'Money bags' two weeks ago. I forwarded it to my friends via their emails too, not because I'm hoping to get more luck but to remind them of my birthday. Yes! On the 12th of this month to be exact. And I told my friends, "angmakakalimotbumatimamalasin" (with the har, har!!!).

This goes too for you my dear readers, followers and visitors. I hope to get many Happy Birthday comments on the 12th of July. Those who will forget will get bad luck for 823 years (LOL).

For my first post on July, I'm not going to ask you to forward this to your friends, just want to share some amazing things about July of this year.

This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years.

Pillow Fight is a campaign to gather the largest number of individuals to register for the WORLD’S LARGEST PILLOW FIGHT. The goal is to break the 3,706-strong existing world record with 5,000 and more in the Pillow Fight Day sometime during the fourth quarter of the year. A wave of Pillow Fight Happenings will run from July – March to engage students, the general youth and young professionals to register as United Fighters.

The campaign will also launch Pillow for A Cause, a fund-drive to benefit students, colleges and universities with a campaign for environmental concerns.

Why Pillow Fight? Popular among youngsters in sleepovers and summer camps, Pillow Fight as a game creates an instantaneous energy, camaraderie and bond between friends and strangers. Having it done outdoors by young adults makes it transcend its age and special limits, thus promote a new kind of fun activity for the youth of today. As of date, participating in Pillow Fight Flash Mobs is becoming a craze in Europe and the US.

Relevance: Aside from being a good unifying activity, its importance lies mainly in creating a channel where young energies are directed towards positively tackling social and environmental issues which the project advocates.

Project Components: Project Pillow Fight Team will go around and setup booths in universities and colleges around the Metro from July to March. There will be two kinds of Pillow Happenings in schools – “Pillow Fight segments” in student organizations/council activities and “Pillow Fights” induced by the students.

It used to be that we only ate to live. Today, however, the role of food and cooking has changed and expanded. What used to be just ‘a tummy filler’ has become a way of entertainment, a fitting celebration, a form of self expression, a lifestyle, even a new culture! Just look at the television shows, online fora, blogs and newspaper articles – it’s all food, food, food, and more food. Food is as basic as it is. Yet in that realm, today’s generation is hungry for new preparations, innovations, creativity, new experiences, adventure, and something to talk about.

Together they will launch SM Master Chefs, a composite event made up of three components – a grand cooking demo, kitchen makeovers, and a set of cook-offs that are set to make foodie history.From July to September, every week in three months, SM Master Chefs will conduct a marathon of cooking demos that will tour SM Hypermarket branches all over the nation, showcasing innovations in culinary products and cooking aids. Not only will these demos serve as a source of entertainment for the onlookers, but also as a venue of culinary discovery for people who are passionate about cooking.

Alongside SM Master Chefs Cooking Marathon, two other monumental events will take place. One is the Kitchen Makeover, where five lucky shoppers will get the chance to have their kitchen redesigned and furnished. This project will be done in partnership with established designers from the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID).

Last but not the least, SM Hypermarket will also launch a series of Supersized Cook-off events set to make culinary records. Set in five different locations, each cook off will feature a regional dish and will be undertaken with the help of the local government units and the community.

Despite the new cult-like atmosphere that seems to have taken over the culinary world, there are still those like SM Hypermarket, who seek to unite all the diverse sects of foodie-dom under one banner. These five months are going to prove exciting for foodies, chefs, and onlookers as the store that has it all brings the message of attainable culinary excellence to every corner of the country. Just you wait and see.

June 28, 2011

The illustrations are bright and colorful. The messages are inspirational and easy to read. This is a great book that can be given to young girls graduating from elementary or high school to encourage them to reach for their aspirations.

Available at some bookstores located in malls. Published by Blue Mountain, around Php 99.00

Thank you Olga for this book! It shall be pass on to my Julia in time...

In our bedroom we have a 32-inch television. I noticed everytime Julia watches, she'd squint. And many times I'd ask her if she finds the television small. Julia will say no. I got a little concerned when I still see Julia squinting when watching in our 52-inch television in the living room. There's no reason for her not to see the screen because it's way too big than the one in our bedroom, so I've decided to bring her to Executive Optical for an eye-check up.

(My kids here with our favorite EO Optometrist, Dr. Terry)

These are the findings: Julia - 3.50 (right eye) and 2.25 (left eye) grade, plus she is nearsighted.

Rafael: 0.75 (right eye) and 1.25 (left eye) grade, nearsighted also.

Good thing Juan's eyes are still A-okay.

Some eye care tips that can make a big difference in the children’s vision:

1. When the kids are reading: Make sure that there is an adequate amount of light so your child can see well, without shadows interfering or the need to strain.2. When the kids are using the computer use: Make sure that a break is taken from the computer every thirty to sixty minutes, so your children allow their eyes to rest frequently.3. Exercises that can also help: Have your child rotate their eyes in a clockwise and then counterclockwise motion at least a few minutes out of every hour reading, using the computer, watching television or doing their homeworks.4. The antioxidants called lutein and zeaxantin found in many fruits and vegetables will decrease the risk of eye diseases on children. Fruits and vegentables, such as, kiwi, grapes, spinach, orange, zucchini and squash.

Being born with short logs (err...) legs, it has always been my frustration to wear those to-die-for boots that we normally see in glossy magazines. Last year opened my eyes (wide enough, even if it's too chinky) to realize, that my legs are too short, err again, that life's too short not to enjoy and try new things. But before plunging into wearing one, I read a lot about it, and asked stylists like Dona Cuna-Pita when I attentedBDJRendezvouz about the basic dos and donts in wearing boots.

This mid-calf black boots of mine have been to places and events, such as:

I'm not a bag-a-holic, nor a shoe-a-holic, but I am a flip-flops-a-holic. Lately, John has been showering me with my latest addiction: slippers, flip-flops, or whatever name you want to call it. These are gifts that I MEGA, SUPER APPRECIATE and LIKE!!! Ipanema GB Butterfly Collection.

It's super comfortable and stylish. Even if my legs are short (as my husband would tease) I feel and look that my legs look (ohhh) so sexy. Pagbigyannyonako, my birthday is coming...

June 26, 2011

Some two weeks ago, we went out at 11am to go malling. When we reach home at 4pm, I found it difficult to open the locks of our door. Then I noticed that the door had cracks on the side. John and I were so alarmed for this was the first time an attempted break in our house happened. Though in the past, these bad people had stole our car's side mirror, spare tire, plate number, and yes - even the tire caps!

As John reported the incident to the BarangayTanod, I've asked my neighbor if they noticed people lurking around. Our neighbor said our dog, Dengue, kept on barking so she kept on looking at our house. She noticed a man riding a bicycle, who seemed to have brought a letter inside.

Dengue alerted our neighbor by barking non-stop. These is one of the three reasons why these bad people did not succeed in totally unlocking our door, and eventually robbing us off with our valuables.

Because these bad people damaged the lock, we couldn't open the deadbolt using our keys so John forcefully kicked the door to break it. As I went inside, I fell into my knees and cried, thinking what would have happened if these bad people were able to get in? It is not about the material things that I'm most concern, but the privacy that these bad people violated. Family and friends are welcome to share joy and laughter inside our home but not these bad people who's only intention is to get stuff they can use for bad reasons.

It is easier to curse these bad people, but I'd rather pray for them. Pray to God to touch their hearts, and turn them from being bad people to good people so that they will not any more victimize another family. May these burglars tribe decrease!

I started my love for Moringa in 2002 after giving birth to Julia and Rafael. When Juan was born in 2006, the love for this small but wonder leaves grew bigger. Juancho loves to eat soup with rice, so I find ways on how to make a pre-packed soup become nutritous.

This is my neighbor's frontage where I normally get (should I say, ransack, LOL!), my endless supply of Malunggay

Roots: used as a laxative and to treat spasms of the colon, treat circulation problems, high blood pressure, kidney dysfunctions and low back pain; for gout, asthma and hiccoughs.

Leaves of Moringa can substitute for meat, soy bean products or dairy products as the leaves have a complete compliment of amino acids, the complete protein that is needed in human nutrition for good health.

Ounce per Ounce leaves of Moringa oleifera:

*contain more vitamin A than carrots for good eyesight and to prevent blindness; contain a high quality vitamin A- beta carotene

*more Calcium than milk for strong bones and teeth

*more Iron than spinach for healthy blood cells

*contain the full balanced compliment of B vitamins, as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, for brain, muscle and neurological development

*fresh leaves and pods contain high levels of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, which make it excellent for preventing scurvy

*leaf powder is an excellent source of Vitamin E, tocopherol acetate, for DNA and sexual development

Ounce per Ounce leaves of Moringa oleifera:

*contain more vitamin A than carrots for good eyesight and to prevent blindness; contain a high quality vitamin A- beta carotene

*more Calcium than milk for strong bones and teeth

*more Iron than spinach for healthy blood cells

*contain the full balanced compliment of B vitamins, as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, for brain, muscle and neurological development

*fresh leaves and pods contain high levels of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, which make it excellent for preventing scurvy*leaf powder is an excellent source of Vitamin E, tocopherol acetate, for DNA and sexual development

June 25, 2011

Lately, the Price Tag song video (be it the original of Jessie J and others who sang it) has been filling the eight (4 for the ground floor, 4 for the second floor, LOL!) corners of our house. The song is played in different forms: desktop, laptop, television and cellular phones.

Yesterday, as I fold the clothes from the last day's laundry, I overheard Juancho singing Price Tag with a twist and naughtiness for he was trying to get my attention to leave the clothes and breastfeed him (awww, still breastfeeding at 5 years and 5 months!) When is he going to stop?

June 23, 2011

Hotelwithheart .com (HWH) in partnership with Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) launches its HWH Pencil Project Signature campaign which aims to provide pencils for underprivileged children being taught by DTC. By signing up on the HWH Facebook Page, HWH will donate 1 pencil to DTC for every signature collected.

The Pencil Project will run for 1 month starting June 1 to June 30, 2011. HWH hopes to raise 10,000 pencils to be donated to DTC as materials they could use to help children further their education despite their poverty. To support this campaign, visit HWH Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/hotelwithheart

About Hotelwithheart.comHotelwithheart.com is the world's first and only online hotel booking site that gives to charity from commission income at no cost to guests. Hotelwithheart.com offers over 100,000 cheap hotels, luxury resorts, beach resorts, budget accommodations, and 5 star hotels in more than 80 countries worldwide.

About Efren Penaflorida and Dynamic Teen CompanyDynamic Teen Company (DTC) is a group of concerned young people with a mission of making a small yet significant difference in other people's lives, particularly the small children in slum areas who have no access to education, basic hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families. The group was founded in August 1997 by four teenagers from Cavite National High School, one of whom was Efren Penaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

Staying at my Aunt Linda's place during Christmas and Summer Vacations meant playing Monopoly with my cousin, Ate Ricci. I love this board game so much that when I started earning from my very first job I bought one for my younger siblings, Jubert and Liezl.

When Jubert started working, it was his turn to pass on the Monopoly legacy to our nephews and nieces. In 2005, I asked Nonoy (as we lovingly call Jubert) to give Julia and Rafael Monopoly as a birthday and Christmas gift. Though the board is divided into half, it's still functional, and we play with it from time to time. Why I like this old-fashioned Monopoly? It gives me that bank teller feeling ( when I was young I wanted to work for a bank). The more serious reason why I like this is that, it helped my kids learn Math manually at age 5. Downside: When Julia and Rafael were younger, they can't play with it by themselves, because it involves counting paper play money. John and I, if elder cousins drop by, have to play with them.

When Ate Ricci came home from her school vacation in 2009 (she's a pre-school teacher in the US of A) she gave a newer and more high-tech version of Monopoly to Rafael, Julia and Juan.

It comes with a credit card and a credit card swipe. Now, kids can play on their own for there's no paper money to hold on to.

The Monopoly game board consists of forty spaces containing twenty-eight properties (twenty-two colored streets, four railroads and two utilities), three Chance spaces, three Community spaces, a Luxury Tax space, an Income Tax space, and the four corner squares: GO, (In) Jail/Just Visiting, Free Parking and Go to Jail.

Why I like Monopoly in general? Many of the games we play in life are similar to Monopoly such as counting money, investing in properties, traveling, and solving problems. It helps develop a child’s business strategies, teaches sportsmanship, patience and good sense in handling money. Like in life, Monopoly also often contain an element of chance, whereby one has to accept that life is not always a bed of roses...sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In most cases, when you're struggling to get by in the real world, how well you understand the game compared to other players will give you a big advantage, but luck will also play a part. As I always say, the happiest person, coupled with a winning positive attitude will guide a player to a more joyful Monopoly game time. Much of success in playing Monopoly revolves around two main elements - level of understanding and chance. And often, it's the more sophisticated players who'll win, with chance deciding which one of them will walk away with the more houses, hotels and money.

After the game of Monopoly, expect whining from a losing player (child), and lots of smiles from a winning kid (and a winning MOM too!).